Since chinchillas cannot regulate their body temperature, they always need to be in a cool environment. If you own chinchillas, you absolutely need to have air condition of some sorts to keep the temperature between 68-74 degrees. Anything higher than this is extremely uncomfortable for a chinchilla, and can result in the chins having a heat stroke, and dying.

Never keep your chinchilla in direct sunlight, as that can be much hotter than what your house thermometer reads. Also chinchillas are nocturnal animals, and should be kept in a dark cool place during the day time hours.

Signs of heat stroke:

- flushed ears
- increased breathing/heart rate
- lethargy
- change in appetite
- seizures

In case of emergency, use these methods to keep chins cool:

- Freeze smooth rocks, marble, granite, unpolished tile, or chin-chillers and place them in the cage with chins
- Place soda cans in socks and put them in the cage for the chins to lie against
- Take a fan and aim it slightly above the chins, then place a tray of ice cubes under the fan and allow it to blow across the ice and circulate cool air
- Use terra cotta pots soaked in water and dried, or even frozen
- In extreme cases, considering putting chins in as open cages as possible and placing them in a running car with ac